Our Event Model

CUNY Citizenship Now holds Citizenship Application Assistance events in New York’s neighborhoods one or two times every month. At these events, our staff and volunteers typically help more than 100 participants. Services include evaluating their eligibility for naturalization, assisting them in completing the application form, giving them a list of supporting documents to be included in the application packet, providing free photographs, and having an attorney or Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) accredited representative review the complete application packet.

We structure these events to maximize the use of volunteers and staff, create efficiencies, and serve a high-volume of participants, while ensuring that we provide high-quality services. Our methods reflect 16 years of testing of our materials and resources. We have used these methods for mass immigration law service activities beyond naturalization. For instance, in 2010 an earthquake struck Haiti and this tragedy triggered the Obama administration to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals in the United States. With only a few adjustments, we adapted our model to help hundreds of Haitians apply for TPS. Again, in 2012, when President Obama announced Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals we adjusted our model to serve undocumented youth requesting this form of relief.

A CUNY citizenship application event starts at a screening station where trained attorneys and BIA accredited representatives screen participants for eligibility. Participants then move to an application assistance station where we go over each question on the N-400 form. Next, they move to a photo/photocopy station, and last to a checkout station where we double-check the participants’ eligibility and the completed application packet. There are two unique features of our events: we always have a fee waiver station to help those who meet certain criteria apply for a waiver of the application and biometrics fees; at our passport station, we use computer software to speed up entering the travel history for participants with more than ten trips outside the United States.

CUNY’s events distinguish themselves due to the volume of applicants served in one single event. We have adapted our model to help from 75 people to close to 450 permanent residents in a single day.

In addition to the event structure and outcomes, what most sets CUNY’s events apart from similar programs is our utilization of trained volunteers. Our Volunteer Corps (currently composed of 430 active members) plays an essential role in reducing service costs. Citizenship Now employs a full-time volunteer engagement coordinator who works to improve training, participation, and to ensure that volunteers have a quality experience.